“What’s that supposed to mean?” He squeezed me harder and laughed.
“Nothing.” I could barely get the word out with a giggle. “You’re just verymasc.”
“Not masc for masc.”
I giggled harder hearing that term come from his lips. I had to watch his mouth even closer just to make sure it was really him. Earlier could’ve been a slip in the timeline, but no, he was here, and he wanted to play with me.
“Well, my sweet boy,” he said. “Is that okay?”
I nodded. I enjoyed many terms, if sweet or beautiful came before them. I’d even accept talented and handsome. “Yes, please,” I said before stumbling over my words to add, “Daddy” to it.
It felt right, but it still felt like a dream.
There wasn’t much he wanted me to do but sit back, relax, and play. He told me he would make all the food and prepare it on plates for our tea party. I think he just wanted to look around the kitchen a little more, since his eyes were so big earlier looking at how much color we had—I think. I sat in my bed, organizing my teddies. I’d cleaned my room somewhat, but this place was a mess.
Daddy came to the bedroom door. “Dinos are in the oven,” he said, the musky cologne scent he brought with him was intense in all the best possible ways. “Do you want to get dressed in something else?”
I nodded, jumping to attention in front of him. “You smell so good.”
“You smell better.” He grabbed me by the waist, pulling me into him. He wasn’t going to let go of me, I could tell by the hold he had me in. It was so nice to be held, especially when that hold was coming from him. I leaned into hischest, smushing my face against his muscles and wondering what it was like underneath his shirt. My hand slipped underneath, untucking it completely in the process. “Oh, and where do you think that hand is going?”
Feeling his furry belly and the magical treasure trail he’d been hiding, I yanked my hand away. “It’s like a carpet.”
He laughed. “You are cute. Now, I think I might have redeemed all the bear hugs that T-shirt has to offer.”
“Maybe,” I said, my hand tugging at the end of his shirt—almost praying for permission to go inside again and feel how soft and fluffy his hairy trail was. “So, which onesie should I wear?”
Daddy hummed, stepping further inside the room with me clinging to his body. “I didn’t really get a good look in here earlier, but I think I saw a cute one with a tail. White and pink.”
“My unicorn one,” I said, springing away from him. “Oh my god. Yes. I love that one.”
“A dinosaur would’ve been better.”
Busy rummaging through the closet of crammed onesies. “I do!”
“You do?”
I nodded, but my eyes were too focused on trying to find the onesie—it was like flipping through a picture book, and my hands were growing tired. The closet was crammed.
“That could be a fire hazard,” he said from behind me, his strong warmth up against my back. “Is that polereinforced?”
I shrugged. “I think it’s okay, unless it’s not. Is it okay?”
As he reached up to the pole, his armpit almost in my face, I managed to get more of his musky scent in my nose, and it was absolutely divine. “It’s really stuck in there,” he said, and I thought he was talking about me.
“Uh.”
“The pole,” he said. “It should be fine, but I think you should try putting less stress on it. I don’t want it to give way and suddenly you’re trapped under a mountain of onesies.”
I pouted, looking up at him with my big blinking eyes. “But you’d save me, right?”
“Baby, I’d be here in heartbeat.”
A tingle shivered through me atbaby. I was his baby. I could’ve screamed, and tears welled behind my eyes. I definitely was his baby. “Well, there isn’t a whole lot of room for a new closet in here, but that’s okay, because I like having all my stuff near me.”
“It’s definitely a treat to see,” he said, stroking the side of my face. “You get changed into something, surprise me, and I’ll finish getting the food ready.”
We kissed, and I swore there was a spark—a literal crackle from the connection of our skin.
